Nothing like a surprise turn of events to get the unofficial start of the CFL season for the Lions started on the wrong foot. When the Lions took to the field for their first mini-camp session Monday, they were already down to only three healthy quarterbacks.

Steven Jyles, who had more than a decent chance to make a team looking not only for a backup but possibly start given the shoulder surgery of Travis Lulay, wasn’t on the field and isn’t expected to join the team any time soon.

General manager Wally Buono spoke to the 30-year-old when the Lions were at a tryout camp in Dallas last week and said Jyles, a father of three, was not willing to commit at this point to an attempt to re-start his career.

“Think about it…he’s 30 he got a family, he has to give up everything and there’s nothing guaranteed,” said Buono, who pointed out that the Jyles had only agreed to contract terms when the club announced his signing April 7 “I’m not jumping down either way. I respect the fact he’s got to look up the welfare of his family. It would be different if I’d given him a ton of money up front at this point I’m fine. Let’s see what we have.”

What the Lions had at a chilly opening session was NFL veteran John Beck, second-year thrower Chris Hart and Jarrett Lee, who was drafted in 2012 by the San Diego Chargers but did not play in the NFL. Buono said the quarterbacking roster would remain as it was Monday, at least for now. Minicamp is voluntary, and it remains to be seen whether Jyles is simply a holdout.

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